Farnam v Corbett
Judge denies awarding $391,150 to teacher's defense team
December 14, 2009 Filed in:
Litigation
Scott Martindale, The Orange County Register
A federal judge today
denied awarding $391,150 in attorneys' fees and court-related costs
to the defense team for high school teacher James Corbett, sued by
a student two years ago for his anti-Christian classroom rhetoric.
U.S. District Court Judge James Selna said in an eight-page ruling
that although the Capistrano Unified School District was not liable
for Corbett's actions, Capistrano was not eligible to recover any
attorneys' fees because student Chad Farnan's lawsuit against the
school district was not simply "a baseless, vexatious claim," as
Corbett's attorneys had argued...
Intellectuals must 'push back,' urges teacher sued by student
September 04, 2010 Filed in:
Litigation
Scott Martindale, The Orange County Register
High school history teacher
James Corbett, found to have violated a student's First Amendment
rights last year by disparaging Christianity in class, on Saturday
urged "intellectuals of all political persuasions" to push back
against the "right-wing authoritarianism" that is eroding mutual
tolerance and democracy in America. Speaking at a convention in
Irvine hosted by the Orange County chapter of the high IQ society
Mensa, Corbett railed against what he described as
anti-intellectual conservatives who rely on "submission" and
"cherished cultural myths" to maintain power and influence…
School district dropped from anti-Christian lawsuit appeal
June 24, 2010 Filed in: Litigation | Religion
Scott Martindale, The Orange County Register
The Mission Viejo teen who
is seeking a stronger court ruling against his former high school
teacher for violating his First Amendment rights is dropping the
portion of his appeal targeting the school district as a liable
party. Chad Farnan, a graduating senior at Capistrano Valley High
School, will continue his federal appeals case against teacher
James Corbett for disparaging Christianity in class. But Farnan has
decided against appealing the part of the May 2009 court decision
that found the Capistrano Unified School District not liable for
the veteran teacher's actions…
The faith of our founding fathers: in context
November 05, 2009 Filed in:
Litigation | Religion
Letters: Steve Fleming, The Orange County
Register If Jim
Corbett's letter, "John Adams on religion" [Nov. 2], is an example
of his teaching style for Advanced Placement History, I understand
why he is controversial. His quotes were incomplete and taken out
of context … Revisionists like Corbett deliberately reverse Adams's
position. Many other Adams quotations refer to his Christian faith
and his belief that religion is an essential part of the fabric of
American life...